Tipra Motha chief Pradyot Kishore Debbarman distances himself from leader David Murasing’s communal remarks against Bengalis, calling criminals “criminals” without religion or caste. The controversy, linked to past insurgent figures, reignites ethnic tensions in Tripura, raising questions about the party’s stance on communal harmony ahead of future political challenges.
Tipra Motha founder and royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarman has moved swiftly to contain the fallout after a party leader, David Murasing, stirred public outrage with a communally charged social media post targeting the Bengali community.
Murasing, who is currently marching to New Delhi, has a history of making provocative remarks. On August 6, he posted an allegation on social media claiming that members of the Bengali community were responsible for incidents of rape and murder involving Tiprasa (tribal) women. He further accused Bengalis of obstructing tribal welfare initiatives, and claimed they extorted donations from tribal residents during Durga Puja, while asserting that no similar demands were made on Bengalis during tribal festivals.
The post instantly drew condemnation from members of the Bengali community, the largest demographic group in Tripura’s mixed ethnic composition. Many described the remarks as inflammatory, divisive, and deeply offensive. The backlash put Tipra Motha in an uncomfortable position, raising questions about the party’s stand on communal harmony.
In a carefully worded statement, Pradyot Kishore Debbarman publicly distanced himself and the party from Murasing’s remarks. “No matter what anyone says, a rapist or a molester does not have a religion, caste or community,” Debbarman said. “The person who is sick in the mind is a danger for every woman — including those within their own family, neighbourhood, and circles of friends. A sex offender is simply a criminal, and should never be defined by their background.”
Party insiders revealed that Murasing was reprimanded by senior leaders, though he has not removed the controversial post as of yet. Sources say there is pressure within the party to address the matter more strongly to prevent long-term damage to Tipra Motha’s image ahead of possible future electoral contests.
Adding to the controversy, Pradyot Kishore in a separate post appeared to downplay recent violent incidents involving Tipra Motha activists. The unrest followed reports of a molestation incident on a bus, which triggered outrage among party supporters. The attack on Bengali passengers was allegedly led by former NLFT militant Suren Debbarma, a figure historically linked to insurgency and violence in Tripura. Suren is widely known for his involvement in the killing of 29 Tripura State Rifles personnel at Hirapur on August 20, 2002.
Observers say the episode has opened a fresh debate over ethnic relations in Tripura, a state with a history of tensions between tribal and non-tribal communities. Political analysts believe that while Pradyot’s statement was a necessary step to maintain communal balance, the party’s inability to rein in inflammatory rhetoric from its leaders could risk alienating moderate supporters.
Community leaders from both tribal and Bengali backgrounds have called for restraint and dialogue. “Social media should not be used as a weapon to deepen divides,” said a prominent Bengali cultural activist. “We must address crime without painting entire communities as guilty.”
While the immediate controversy may fade, the incident underscores the sensitivity of ethnic politics in Tripura. For Tipra Motha, which has sought to position itself as a voice for tribal rights while maintaining a democratic image, the challenge will be to avoid such flare-ups in the future while keeping its activist base energized.
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As of now, David Murasing remains unapologetic, and Pradyot Kishore’s balancing act will likely continue — defending tribal dignity without endorsing divisive rhetoric. The coming days will test whether the party can hold its unity without inflaming ethnic fault lines further.
